José Andrés Draws Jim McGovern Into the TEDx Fold

Restaurateur-cum-philanthropist José Andrés is presiding over his first TEDx conference this weekend here in D.C., and he’s bringing along a close buddy — Rep. Jim McGovern.

A Think Food Group aide confirmed that Andrés, who is serving as “guest curator” for the upcoming TEDxMidAtlantic gathering Friday and Saturday, personally invited the Massachusetts Democrat to attend.

“They’ve actually been friends for a really long time now,” Think Food Group spokeswoman Stephanie Salvador said of the bond that’s formed between her cheflebrity boss and the anti-hunger advocate through their continued efforts to feed the world, one mouth at a time:

Per his office, the congressman is expected to continue sounding that particular alarm during his debut TEDx talk, electing to share his thoughts on the “politics of hunger” with the enlightenment-seeking crowd.

“It’ll be some sort of call to action,” a McGovern aide told HOH of the conversational presentation.

According to Salvador, Andrés will begin stirring the pot with an introductory chat touching on humanitarian outreach, clean cook-stove technology and that most universal of topics, food.

Salvador said Andrés is expected to get the weekend rolling with a 12-minute address promptly at 11 a.m. Friday. Team McGovern said the boss is scheduled to go on stage some time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Those interested in attending the rapid-fire discussion series can purchase tickets here.